Top 25 Illinois high school football rankings (11/29/2023)

Loyola Academy takes top spot in final 2023 Illinois football rankings

Mike Carpinelli | Nov 29, 2023

The final SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings are here and leading off are a pair of back-to-back championship squads in Chicago powerhouses Loyola Academy and Mount Carmel.

SBLive Illinois Power 25 high school football rankings

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: PRESEASON | AUG. 30 | SEPT. 7 | SEPT. 14 | SEPT. 20 | SEPT. 27 | OCT. 4 | OCT. 11 | OCT. 18 | OCT. 26 | NOV. 1 | NOV. 9 | NOV. 15 | NOV. 21

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See: Illinois high school football playoffs brackets

Illinois high school football rankings

November 29, 2023

1. Loyola Academy (14-0)

Previous rank: 2 Last week: Def. Lincoln-Way East 26-15

In a clash of 8A powers, the Ramblers prevailed to win their second state title in as many years. First-year starter Ryan Fitzgerald capped off an impressive junior season by completing 17 of 21 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns along with 89 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

2. Mount Carmel (13-1)

Previous rank: 3 Last week: Def. Downers Grove North 35-10

The Caravan won their second consecutive 7A title with a dominant 35-10 win over Downers Grove North. Junior quarterback Jack Elliott led the offensive outburst with 284 yards and two touchdowns through the air and another 89 yards and a score on the ground. The Mount Carmel defense allowed just 161 yards of total offense.

3. Lincoln-Way East (13-1)

Previous rank: 1 Last week: Lost to Loyola Academy 26-15

For the second straight season, Lincoln-Way East fell just short of the 8A state title with a loss to Loyola. Senior quarterback Braden Tischer capped off a successful high school career by completing 18 of 26 passes for 165 yards and both of the Griffins’ touchdowns.

4. Cary-Grove (12-2)

Previous rank: 13 Last week: Def. East St. Louis 23-20

In a rematch of the 2021 6A title game Cary-Grove won in thrilling fashion by one point, the Trojans won another close battle against the Flyers, 23-20, to bring the 6A crown back home. Fullback Logan Abrams was the workhorse for Cary-Grove as he finished with 87 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 1:19 left to play.

5. East St. Louis (10-3)

Previous rank: 4 Last week: Lost to Cary-Grove 23-20

After taking a 20-15 lead into the fourth quarter, East St. Louis could not hold on as they dropped a hard fought 23-20 decision to Cary-Grove. Junior RB Larevious Woods had a solid performance and finished with 98 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

6. Rochester (14-0)

Previous rank: 8 Last week: Def. St. Laurence 59-38

Rochester finished off its perfect season and brought home the 4A state title after a 59-38 shootout victory over St. Laurence. The Rockets finished with 351 rushing yards as a team led by Nolan Mrozowski (132 yards and two touchdowns) and Henry Buecker (83 yards and a TD).

7. Downers Grove North (11-3)

Previous rank: 5 Last week: Lost to Mount Carmel 35-10

Downers Grove North finished as the 7A runner up after a 35-10 defeat against Mount Carmel. Senior running back Jake Wander scored the Trojans lone touchdown with 3 seconds remaining.

8. Byron (14-0)

Previous rank: 12 Last week: Def. Mt. Carmel (IL) 69-7

Byron finished its perfect season and became the highest scoring team in state history after a dominant 69-7 win over Mt. Carmel in the 3A championship game. All of the Tigers offense came on the ground as they finished with 531 team rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

9. York (11-2)

Previous rank: 6

York finished a successful season with an 11-2 record and an 8A semifinal appearance where they lost a close game against eventual champion Loyola Academy.

10. Batavia (11-2)

Previous rank: 7

Batavia finished its season as the DuKane Conference champions with a perfect 7-0 conference record and a 7A semifinal appearance where they lost to eventual 7A winner Mount Carmel. Fueled by their high-powered offense, the Bulldogs averaged more than 37 points per game.

11. Nazareth Academy (9-5)

Previous rank: 16 Last week: Def. Joliet Catholic 38-20

Nazareth Academy became the first five-loss team in state history to win a state championship as they defeated rival Joliet Catholic 38-20 in the 5A title game. Nolan Malachuk finished with 414 yards and four touchdowns through the air. Junior linebacker Gabe Kaminski was all over the field on defense and finished with 15 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

12. Kankakee (11-1)

Previous rank: 8

Kankakee had itself a solid season in which they finished with just 1 loss in the 5A quarterfinals to eventual runner-up East St. Louis. The Kays won the Southland Conference and averaged an outstanding 43.5 points per game.

13. Joliet Catholic (10-4)

Previous rank: 10 Last week: Lost to Nazareth Academy 38-20

Joliet Catholic came up just short in the 5A game as they dropped a 38-20 decision to Nazareth Academy. After leading 20-10 at halftime, the Hilltoppers could not get anything going in the second half. Senior running back HJ Grigsby had a gritty performance and rushed for 285 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries while playing through an ankle injury.

14. Barrington (12-1)

Previous rank: 9

The Broncos finished this season with just one loss in the 8A semifinals (to eventual runner up Lincoln-Way East) and a Mid-Suburban West Conference championship.

15. Edwardsville (10-2)

Previous rank: 13

The Tigers were an exciting team this season and finished with a 10-2 record and lost in a hard fought 36-29 game against York in the second round of the 8A playoffs. The Tigers offense averaged an impressive 40 points per game.

16. St. Laurence (10-3)

Previous rank: 15 Last week: Lost to Rochester 59-38

St. Laurence could not keep up with a high-powered Rochester offense and lost 59-38 in the 4A state championship game. Running back Aaron Ball capped off a great season with a 160 yard and two touchdown outburst on the ground.

17. St. Francis (10-3)

Previous rank: 17

St. Francis made its second consecutive semifinal appearance this season and dropped a 38-31 decision against eventual champion Nazareth Academy. The Spartans were the winners of the CCL/ESCC Orange Division.

18. Normal Community (12-1)

Previous rank: 18

The Ironmen finished their impressive season with a 12-1 record, a 7A semifinal appearance, and a Big Twelve Conference championship after a perfect 8-0 conference record.

19. Maine South (10-2)

Previous rank: 19

Maine South finished this season with a 10-2 record and an 8A quarterfinal appearance. The Central Suburban South champions averaged more than 35 points per game.

20. Washington (11-2)

Previous rank: 20

Washington had a solid season in which they finished with an 11-2 record, a Mid-Illini Conference championship, and a 6A semifinal appearance in which they lost to East St. Louis 34-18.

21. Lake Zurich (11-2)

Previous rank: 21

The Bears finished the season with an 11-2 record and lost in the 6A semifinals to eventual champion Cary-Grove. Lake Zurich was powered by a stout defense that allowed just 12 points per game.

22. Morgan Park (10-2)

Previous rank: 22

The Mustangs finished their successful season with a 10-2 record, a Chicago Public League-Red championship, and a 5A quarterfinal appearance while outscoring opponents 30-14 on average.

23. Montini Catholic (9-4)

Previous rank: 24

Montini finished its season with a 9-4 record and a 3A semifinal appearance (its deepest playoff run since reaching the 5A title game in 2018).

24. Mt. Carmel (12-1)

Previous rank: 23 Last week: Lost to Byron 69-7

The Golden Aces could not stop an explosive Byron squad in the 3A championship game and finished as the runner up after a 69-7 loss. Blayne Sisson finished off his phenomenal senior season with 149 yards on the ground and the team’s lone touchdown.

25. Hersey (10-1)

Previous rank: 25

Hersey finished this season with a 10-1 record and a 7A second round playoff appearance where they dropped a 24-21 decision to runner up Downers Grove North. The Mid-Suburban East champs had an explosive offense that averaged more than 45 points per game.

Illinois high school football: Top standouts, best performances at state championships (11/25/2023)

Generic football state champs — Photo by Nate Latch

Published Nov 29, 2023

MIKE CARPINELLI